Gilan

Three months later, Gilan had much changed. He wasn't the tall, skinny boy who had admired Halt from afar. Gilan's obvious admiration had dramatically changed into one of quiet approbation. Halt pushed him as hard as any instructor he had ever had in Caraway—probably even harder. While at times Gilan became annoyed with Halt, at the end of the day, he respected the famous Ranger. Halt had opened his mind and broadened his already broad horizons.

The plush, green grass was wet with the morning dew and it stuck to Blaze and Abelard's short, stubby legs. Gilan licked his lips anxiously as he and Halt continued through the thick, wooded land. It had been three days since they had seen Castle Redmont. Gilan knew something was amiss.

"Where are we going, Halt?" Gilan finally asked, his eagerness finally breaking through.

Halt looked sideways at Gilan. Although Gilan was much younger than him, Gilan was a good foot taller than his grizzled mentor, so Halt grudgingly had to look up to meet the bright, green eyes of Gilan's. "Somewhere," he replied roughly.

Gilan sighed and patted Blaze softly. "How long is it going to take to get to this mysterious and illusive 'Somewhere'?" Gilan joked sarcastically. Halt noted that in just a few short months, Gilan had become extremely quick witted and barely a day went by that Gilan didn't crack a joke.

"We should get there by tomorrow," he reluctantly told Gilan. Secretly, Halt thought that he should tell Gilan where they were going. It was going to be an important day in his young life… Halt sighed.

"We're heading to the Gathering Ground," he said simply as if that explained everything.

Gilan scratched his head. "Gathering Ground," he thought to himself. He racked his quick-minded brain for a reference to this 'Gathering Ground.' But, he couldn't make a mental connection. He shrugged and looked over to Halt. "Why are we going there?"

"Remember when I told you that you would have a yearly assessment each year until you graduate?" he asked Gilan. Gilan raised an eyebrow. It was rare for Halt to speak this much.

"Of course," Gilan replied cheerfully. He then frowned. "Wait… we're not going to the Gathering Ground for it, are we?"

Halt nodded as if it was obvious. Gilan's eyes grew wide. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? I need time to prepare for this!" Gilan replied quickly, his voice gradually rising in volume. He fidgeted nervously in his saddle and Blaze whinnied in annoyance, but Gilan seem didn't notice. He was too busy worrying about what he was going to do about his all important Assessment.

"You've been preparing for your Assessment for four months now. Granted, the other apprentices will have an upper hand—since they've been training longer, but you're ready," Halt tried to calm his apprehensive apprentice.

This was Gilan's downfall. He overreacted often and it made him lose focus. Halt made a mental note that he would have to correct this as soon as possible, but he had no doubt Gilan would. He was a quick study—an excellent trait he'd inherited from his father.

"Do you really think that I'm ready?" Gilan asked as he slowly began to calm down. He took three deep breaths and closed his eyes. His left hand reached behind him to feel his longbow. He felt comforted by its smooth, wooden frame.

Halt nodded slowly. "Yes. Just don't let it go to your head," he couldn't help but adding, causing Gilan to blush slightly.

OoOoOoOoO

The next day, Gilan and Halt finally arrived to the much anticipated Gathering Ground. Gilan marveled at other Rangers who were raising tall, tan tents. Some were tending to the horses, and Gilan couldn't help but notice that Blaze was slightly taller and leaner than most of the other Ranger horses. As the two walked slowly through the busy Gathering Ground, several Rangers looked over at Gilan and whispered amongst themselves. They waved and called out to Halt.

"I see you finally took up an apprentice, Halt!" a short, burly Ranger with a black beard called out. Halt inclined his head toward the Ranger, but said nothing. He turned Abelard toward the largest tent that was stationed in the middle of the clearing. Two Rangers meandered into the tent and disappeared from view. Halt then glanced over to Gilan who was close behind him.

"Take Abelard and Blaze to the water trough. You can give them both one apple. There's no need to spoil them," he said quietly. Gilan rolled his eyes at Halt when he turned and walked confidently into the tent. It seemed to be a pet peeve of Halt's to give a horse more than one apple a day. But, Gilan did what he was told and dismounted Blaze and led both horses to the busy water trough. He stroked Blaze's neck gently and nervously glanced about. He strangely felt uncomfortable with all eyes on him. A tight, uncomfortable feeling consumed Gilan, emanating from his stomach.

He was nervous.

When both horses had drunk their fill, Gilan reached into the nearby wooden basket and pulled out two apples. Both horses munched on the juicy apples happily. Blaze looked intently at Gilan when she had finished her apple. Her brown eyes seemed to say:

Give me another apple. You know you want to. Gilan sighed and reached back into the basket and gave Blaze another apple. Abelard whinnied urgently. He stomped his foot angrily. Don't forget about me now. Gilan grinned and reached back toward the basket.

"You better not be giving my horse another apple," Halt murmured darkly behind Gilan. Gilan froze and turned, a frown of fear stretching across his face. He tried to smile innocently, but Halt was staring at him keenly.

"I wasn't, Halt. Really," he added awkwardly.

Halt opened his mouth to reply, but Gilan spotted Ranger Crowley. He walked up beside Halt and nodded contentedly at his friend's apprentice—completely unaware of the current situation. Gilan seized the moment. Crowley had often visited his father in Caraway Fief and Crowley had acquired a liking of the Battlemaster's son.

"It's good to see you Crowley!" Gilan ejaculated. A brilliant grin now easily spread across his face.

"Ah, Gilan," Crowley, "I see you've been able to survive Halt's training thus far. That in itself is an extraordinary accomplishment," he remarked, a deep chuckle breaking through his calm exterior. Crowley loved to laugh.

Halt glared over Crowley who pursed his lips slightly and frowned. "Am I… interrupting something?" he asked slowly.

"Never mind, Crowley," Halt muttered half to himself.

Crowley cleared his throat loudly. "Well, welcome to the Gathering, Gilan. I hope you'll enjoy the Assessment."

And suddenly, that tight feeling back…